Miguel Mestre

Miguel Mestre, age 94, of Bridgeport has passed away into the Peaceful Rest of the Lord on January 14, 2021 in his home while surrounded by his family. He is the beloved husband of Ramona Mestre whom he married in 1968; Miguel was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico to the late Maria Jose Pagan and the late Pedro Juan Mestre; At an early age, Miguel grew up, like many in Puerto Rico who were committed to developing ways to work and provide, regardless of the limitations he visually saw; this did not prevent Miguel from going out and becoming a business owner; Not being born as many may say with a silver spoon in his mouth, as a young man, he began developing the business persona he was known to be throughout his life. In the streets of San Juan, Miguel began selling gum, simply showing how simple he was willing to begin, but that was just the beginning of great things to come. He relocated to the mainland of the United States at a young age to Bridgeport where his family was located. He then joined the United States Army where he served our country during the Korean War. After serving for our country Miguel traveled to New York City daily to go to school for radio and TV repair. He opened Galos Radio and TV Repair after graduating in New York City. As time passed and constantly sharing time with his family which was located in the Bridgeport area, Miguel decided to move the business to Bridgeport to be closer to his family; Miguel then opened the Galos Radio and TV Repair on East Main Street. After his brothers joined him in the business, they renamed it “Almacenes Galos” at 459 East Main St, which was expanded to include product offerings of music, jewelry, and more. It was a well-known landmark many throughout the city remember fondly as a place not only to purchase the latest music but conversate and share great times with great people. At the time the Bridgeport Puerto Rican Community which was growing Leaps and bounds in the City. The family also had established the Guadalupe Tropical Products Corp which provided supplies to local grocery stores. Miguel had a great sense of humor and constantly joking and bringing smiles to many. His embellished stories never stopped; Besides his abilities as a great merchant, Miguel was a talented woodworker and spent countless hours creating great items from toys for his children to even display cases at the store which held jewelry and more for sale. A jack of all trades was something that could be said, but instead of being Master of none, truly he Mastered Tons! Together with his family, they were active members of the St. Mary's Parish since the 1960's; Besides creating great items in wood, another favorite pastime was a nice peaceful trip of fishing. And although the businesses, woodworking, and fishing consumed so much time he always made sure to demonstrate to all that nothing had such a priority for him than the family God had given him from day one. His wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews held a place in his heart and a bond that only a few today could actually understand. The endless family events could not ever be enough time creating wonderful memories that today have become treasures in the hearts of all. Domino games were a must and Card games were not far behind and after so many years he retired and spent the rest of his life surrounded by those he loved so much; Miguel’s great accomplishments did not stop him from generously sharing himself, with his family and with everyone he knew; The memories he created with so many throughout the years granted everyone who knew him the blessing of knowing a great Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, and Friend; Besides his beloved wife Ramona, Miguel is survived by his children Ramon Mestre and his wife Sherry, Ilsa Marrero and her husband David, Jose M. Mestre, and Alex Otero and his wife Leslie; his grandchildren Cristian Mestre, Malakai Mestre, Maya Marrero, Elani Marrero, Alicia Marrero, Lily Mestre, Willow Mestre, Liam Mestre, Mikhael Smith-Priar, Makylah Smith-Priar and Keyara Otero; His siblings Ester Mestre, Pedro M. Mestre, Julio Gonzalez, Teresita Mestre, Nydia Mestre, Norma Mestre, Generosa Mestre, Myrna Mestre, Gloria Rivera, and Francisco Mestre; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends whom will sorely miss him; Friends are invited to attend Calling Hours on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, from 9:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 E. Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the St. Mary's Parish at 12:00 P.M. with Father Rolando Torres, Officiating; soon thereafter burial will take place at the Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT Please sign our online memorial Register book where you may share your thoughts, memories, prayers, Pictures, and so much more, but is EXCLUSIVELY FOUND AT www.luzdepaz.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please be advised that due to the current Corona Virus Pandemic the Health Department Regulations and the State of Connecticut have re implemented the status of Phase 2 for the protection and safety of all the residents of Connecticut. - Therefore, During viewing times the ONLY ENTRANCE into the Funeral Home will take place through the BACK ENTRANCE of the Funeral Home (FRONT ENTRANCE CLOSED) -In accordance to the Parameters set forth in Phase 2 of COVID 19 by the State of Connecticut, a maximum number of 43 persons are permitted inside our facility at the same time and any persons above that permitted amount will not be granted access until those friends which have entered the facility prior to the maximum reached, safely exit allowing the same number of guests that exit, to come inside. Again, the maximum number of persons, family , friends, acquaintances, elderly etc. cannot and will not exceed 43. Please understand, our efforts will entail announcing when a line is outside and people have not exited so that those inside can consider those outside in line. We can only encourage others that are NOT immediate family to kindly go outside, therefore permitting those patiently in line to exit enter the funeral home masks are ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. -Entrance is granted into our facility for those who exhibit a mask which covers their MOUTH AND NOSE and such mask MUST REMAIN ON CORRECTLY during entire visit. We regret to inform all guests that regardless of relationship to deceased and/ or family member, such safety measures are not up for debate, nor negotiable by our firm and we cannot compromise the integrity of the safety measures set forth by exceeding the alotted numbers or excuse anyone for not utilizing the required face coverings. -HUGGING AND /OR KISSING any member of the immediate family and/or friends is strongly discouraged, but be advised the Funeral Home, its representatives and or staff members assisting throughout the services cannot and will not assume any responsibility for anyone becoming exposed due to them not adhering to the rules and regulations set forth while inside our facility nor in the funeral services for such deceased in their entirety. Please remember everyone, we understand the trialing time our Country, State and City is found in. Therefore, we are requesting anyone whom is considering attending a service which will be held by our firm, in our facility. We are requesting ALL those in attendance to attend with a mindset of our unwaivering commitment to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth of such policies and procedures, only created by our Health experts for the benefit of everyone in attendance in as a society in General. . Nobody has any other intention and/ or reason but to protect the health and well being of us all and any interaction other than that as ladies and gentlemen and as such expect the same interactions in return. Any other method and/or interaction is not considered appropriate and will terminate any persons visit immediately. It is our exclusive purpose of protection of your health, and those in attendance at the services from possible exposure to a virus which as affected so many in a negative fashion. If we have to bring something to someone's attention regarding such procedures not being adhered, we ask kindly to keep in mind it is not our goal to humiliate anyone but yet kindly remind everyone regarding our masks if not covering our nose and mouths to please do so. We do not know many, relationships etc. nor is our staff aware of all relationships, nor will it be part of what our intended purpose to have to address anything inside or outside but in the same fashion we are trying to maintain a safe and comfortable atmospher, you allow us and assist us in making sure such integrity of the safety is never compromised. We want you to go home, the same way you have arrived, healthy and well! Nobody within our firm will ask anyone to do something to be spiteful, nor be mean or intrusive, etc. and we understand its a sensitive time, but not doing so, exposes you not only to a virus but having to possibly deal with another funeral because of not keeping such details in mind. Therefore, we are kindly requesting that any interactions between all staff and Directors with the public be considered our way of caring....WE lose nothing by not caring, we lose nothing by walking away, but not caring is not in our DNA and has always been. You have come to expect this from our firm and nothing less. If need be and more than once a person is asked to be sure your mask is in its place then we it will have to be addressed again and although excuses as to why any lack of adherence to policies and procedures set forth for everyone's health are understandable, but adherence to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others is not negotiable and deliberate violation of the rules set forth by the Connecticut Department of health and the Governor's executive orders, will have to be addressed accordingly. If cooperation is not provided upon request, you may be asked to leave our facility immediately and entrance will no longer be granted. Again, this is not our mission, not our goal, yet an atmosphere which all may share inside and outside our firm about a life well lived and if outside you want to remain without any protection we are not here to tell people anything while not inside our firm, that is your decision, so please keep in mind, its the protocol uncomfortable or not, also not meant to be mean or condescending. Again, such actions are meant to try to correct and/or prevent a possible exposure from occurring that may cost the life of someone with a delicate health condition whether it be towards yourself or another person. Everyone has the right to their opinion and do as they wish, but just like we all must have a level of decorum when at certain places, functions and public locations, and municipal facilities and more, adherence to such policies is required wherever we go, , We strive to make this a seamless process but of course, it is only with the full cooperation of everyone in attendance to follow instructions thus facilitating and making this process one of least involvement of any family member due to non compliance of such rules and regulations by any guest or distant family member. Above all, the least possible stress to a family handling one of the most challenging times ever in their lives.